Ball Valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022010889-A1
Application number	US-202117486565-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 27, 2021
Priority date	Nov 16, 2015
Publication date	Jan 13, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Improved flow control assemblies for fluid systems (e.g., industrial and/or commercial systems) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for advantageous ball valve assemblies for fluid systems. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for improved ball valve assemblies and related features, systems and methods of use. Exemplary ball valve assemblies of the present disclosure offer advantages over conventional assemblies including, without limitation, advantages in the sealing mechanisms of the ball valve assemblies, and advantages with the user interfaces of the ball valve assemblies (e.g., advantages with the lockout mechanisms). Improved, convenient and effective systems and methods for utilizing improved ball valve assemblies in fluid systems are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A ball valve assembly comprising:
a body member extending from a first end to a second end and defining a body bore and a neck bore, the body bore having a central longitudinal axis; a first seat carrier housing a first seat, the first seat carrier disposed in the first end of the body member; a second seat carrier housing a second seat, the second seat carrier disposed in the second end of the body member; a ball member disposed in the body bore of the body member between the first and second seat carriers, with the first and second seats engaging the ball member; a stem member disposed in the neck bore and coupled to the ball member; and a seal retainer mounted to the second end of the body member, the seal retainer configured to retain the ball member, the first and second seat carriers and the first and second seats in the body member; wherein when the ball member is rotated to a fully closed position via the stem member, the ball member, the first and second seat carriers and the first and second seats are configured to move along the central longitudinal axis in a downstream direction in reaction to an upstream load or applied pressure.

2 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the neck bore defines a stem axis, the stem axis positioned transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the body bore; and
wherein when the ball member is rotated to a fully open position via the stem member, engagement of the stem member with the ball member forces the ball member to be centered on the stem axis.

3 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first end connector and a first fastener member mounted to the first end of the body member; and
a second end connector and a second fastener member mounted to the second end of the body member.

4 . The ball valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first end connector includes an engagement surface that engages an outer surface of the first end of the body member, with gasketing material positioned within a groove of the outer surface of the first end of the body member providing a seal between the engagement surface of the first end connector and the outer surface of the first end of the body member; and
wherein the second end connector includes an engagement surface that engages an abutment surface of the seal retainer, with gasketing material positioned within a groove of the abutment surface of the seal retainer providing a seal between the engagement surface of the second end connector and the abutment surface of the seal retainer.

5 . The ball valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first fastener member includes internal threads that engage threads positioned on the first end of the body member, the first mounted fastener member engaging a shoulder surface of the first end connector to force the first end connector against the first end of the body member; and
wherein the second fastener member includes internal threads that engage threads positioned on the second end of the body member, the second mounted fastener member engaging a shoulder surface of the second end connector to force the second end connector against the second end of the body member.

6 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mounting pad positioned on a bottom surface of the body member, the mounting pad configured to mount to a mounting surface; and
a mounting flange positioned on top of and extending from the neck bore, the mounting flange configured to mount to an actuator.

7 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stem member includes a groove, with gasketing material positioned within the groove of the stem member providing a seal between the stem member and a surface of the neck bore of the body member.

8 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engagement of the first seat with the ball member creates a seal between the ball member and the first seat carrier; and
wherein the engagement of the second seat with the ball member creates a seal between the ball member and the second seat carrier.

9 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second seats are each cylindrical and include a through hole, and the first and second seats each define a substantially diamond-shaped cross-sectional profile revolved about a center axis; and
wherein the first and second seats are each designed to deflect under load.

10 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first seat carrier includes an outer surface having a groove, with gasketing material positioned within the groove of the outer surface of the first seat carrier providing a seal between the outer surface of the first seat carrier and an inner surface of the body bore of the body member.

11 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second seat carrier includes an outer surface having first and second grooves, with first gasketing material positioned within the first groove of the outer surface of the second seat carrier providing a seal between the outer surface of the second seat carrier and an inner surface of the body bore of the body member, and with second gasketing material positioned within the second groove of the outer surface of the second seat carrier providing a seal between the outer surface of the second seat carrier and an inner surface of the seal retainer.

12 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the second end of the body member includes internal threads that extend from the second end to an abutment wall positioned a distance from second end; and
wherein the seal retainer includes threads on an outer surface, with the threads of seal retainer configured to engage the internal threads of body member until an inner end of the seal retainer engages the abutment wall of the body member.

13 . The ball valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the seal retainer is configured to be moved to a predefined position along the internal threads between the second end of the body member and the abutment wall.

14 . The ball valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein the seal retainer is configured to be moved to a position along the internal threads and against the abutment wall.

15 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lock plate mounted to the stem member and a handle member mounted to the lock plate;
wherein the handle member includes a socket that engages a protrusion on an upper surface of the lock plate, and the lock plate includes a female socket on a lower surface of the lock plate that engages the stem member.

16 . The ball valve assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mounting flange positioned on top of and extending from the neck bore; and
a lock plate positioned above an upper surface of the mounting flange and mounted to the stem member.

17 . The ball valve assembly of claim 16 , wherein when the ball member is rotated to a first position via the stem member, a first hole of the lock plate aligns with a first aperture of the mounting flange, with a lock inserted through the aligned first hole and first aperture configured to prevent the lock plate, stem member and ball member from rotating.

18 . The ball valve assembly of claim 17 , wherein after the lock is removed from the first hole and first aperture and when the ball member is rotated to a second position via the stem member, a second hole of the lock plate aligns with a second aperture of the mounting flange, with the lock inserted through the aligned second hole and second aperture configured to prevent the lock

Assignees

• Hayward Ind Inc

Inventors

• Hoots Joshua Lee
• Stone Jon Terence
• Gutmann Paul M

Classifications

• F16K35/10 Primary

  with locking caps or locking bars · CPC title

• F16K5/0642 Primary

  the spherical plug being insertable from one and only one side of the housing · CPC title

• F16K5/0689

  between housing and plug · CPC title

• F16K27/067

  with spherical plugs · CPC title

• F16K5/0647

  Spindles or actuating means · CPC title